Beware, Donald Trump is letting his inner dictator slip out

Donald Trump's acting more "African" again. Back when he was the new host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," South Africa-born comedian Trevor Noah notably disagreed with those who thought then-rising presidential candidate Donald Trump was not "presidential" enough.

- Clarence Page

"For me, as an African," said Noah, "there's just something familiar about Trump that makes me feel at home." 

He then compared Trump's sound bites with some African despots on such topics as immigration, health care, and his own self-regard.

On immigration, for example, Trump said, "When Mexico sends its people, they're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some I presume are good people."

Similarly, South African President Jacob Zuma linked the influx of illegal migrants to "crime, unfair business practices, drugs" while assuring us it was "not true that all foreign nationals are involved in criminal activities. There are some who are, but not all of them."

Gee, thanks. Noah correctly described Zuma's remarks as "a light xenophobia - with just a dash of diplomacy."

After reporting in several African countries with varying degrees of friendliness to press freedoms or not- I was darkly amused to see despots taken to task.

But fast forward: not even a dash of diplomacy softens the bracing sound of Trump's recent episodes of letting his inner Hitler out.